A news round-up from the Town of Henniker, NH
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
THE NEW NORMAL

It's hard to believe the Governor of NH ordered the Stay-at-Home (SAH) Order 33 days ago today. Most Town employees provide essential services and have continued to work either onsite incorporating cleaning, distancing and other procedures into their workday to stop the potential spread of COVID-19. Town Hall staff has also been teleworking while still working in the office and becoming proficient in Zoom meetings, including holding Select Board and other necessary meetings over this platform. It is remarkable how much work we have been able to accomplish during this difficult time. Work on the Western Ave has started and paving will begin today. We have also been running multiple budgeting scenarios to determine strategies to keep the Town operating in light of the impact of COVID-19 on the Town’s revenues. Staff is thankful for the support of the community and that people have been following the SAH Order and are now covering their faces. We encourage everyone to support Henniker’s local businesses so that there are places to go when the Stay at Home order is lifted.

Stay healthy, stay strong, and stay inside! 

Joe
If you know of others who might benefit from reading "Henniker Happenings" and the ongoing COVID-19 information and resources the Town provides as relevant information becomes available, please pass this email along. It's possible to sign up to receive them directly on the Town of Henniker web page at https://www.henniker.org/general/page/sign-non-emergency-alerts . or use cell phone to join, text HKNEWS to 22828 to get started.
PAVING PROJECTS

On Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30, the GMI Company will be paving the following roads:
  • The Oakes
  • Hall Ave.
  • Prospect St.
  • Western Ave.
Expect heavy truck traffic and delays.

These projects are to finish the work that was started in 2019.
UPCOMING ZOOM MEETINGS

Azalea Park Committee - April 30, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

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Meeting ID: 989 8190 2100

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1 646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 989 8190 2100

Select Board Meeting - May 5, 2020 at 6:15 p.m.

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Meeting ID: 982 7225 7537
 
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1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 982 7225 7537


It is, of course, possible that we could encounter some technical glitches as we commence use of videoconferencing. We'll be doing our level best to enable the public to stay engaged. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. Participants will be provided a means of communicating any technical difficulties so that officials can make every effort to remedy the issue in real time.
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The Town of Henniker invites Henniker residents to a series of virtual Town Hall Forums. The forums will enable our community members to gather in an online space and speak directly to town officials and other stakeholders about their concerns, and ask questions regarding town operations, services available, business resources, and our school's response. These meetings will be conducted on Zoom.
The second forum was centered around the Business Community. It gave particpants the opportunity to hear from the SBA, NH Division of Economic Development, Henniker Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Henniker. They learned about programs and stimulus money and most importantly how to access it. It gave you the opportunity to ask questions and share your needs. This forum invites local business owners and managers to hear what services and assistance are available to them. Click Here for a recording of this meeting.
For the first of these forums we hope you will join town officials, including Town Administrator Joe Devine, Select Board Chair Kris Blomback for the virtual brown bag lunch forum. This is an opportunity for Henniker residents to talk to us about the town's response and what we are doing to continue to provide essential services. This meeting was held on April 28th at 1 p.m. if you couldn't attend click here for a recording of the meeting.
UPCOMING VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS
PLEASE DON'T WORRY IF YOU COULDN'T ATTEND. We have two more scheduled for residents to take part in. Both will take place next Tuesday May 5th.
May 5, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

The Town of Henniker is happy to present another Town Hall Forum this time dedicated to education. Representatives from New England College, SAU 24, and the Henniker Community School will be together answering questions and hearing from you about concerns and comments .
May 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

The Town of Henniker will host another Brown Bag Lunch with Select Board Chair Kris Blomback and Town Administrator Joe Devine. This is your chance to come in and listen to what the town has been doing and an opportunity to ask questions of your elected officials and administration in the town.
TOWN INFORMATION DURING COVID-19

We are continuously updating our coronavirus web page with information and resources. You can access it here: Henniker Covid-19 Updates PDFs with information for residents and businesses are available via this link.
NEW HAMPSHIRE ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS AGAINST COVID-19 RELATED SCAMS

Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald urges all of New Hampshire’s aging adults to be aware of and to take steps to protect themselves from scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, all people are encouraged to assist aging adults in protecting themselves from scams to the fullest and safest extent possible.

In recent weeks, scammers have used the uncertainty and isolation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic to attempt to obtain personal identifying information and assets of aging adults across the country.

View the list of some of the scams currently aimed at aging adults, as well as recommendations on what to do if you encounter them  HERE .


HENNIKER'S VIRTUAL TOWN HALL

With COVID -19 we are working toward making Henniker Town Hall and municipal services as virtual as practical given limitations in technology, staffing, regulations, and funding. Most transactions with the Town are now being processed via the Internet, email, telephone. At this point, there are exceptions only for unusual urgent situations where in-person transactions are necessary, some site visits which Town officials are conducting with great care.  

You can find a wealth of information about every Town department at our website  HERE . If you believe that you need to speak with a Town employee in person, please call the department first to discuss your situation. For board meetings including Select Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board we will be using remote live participation for board members, presenters, and members of the public. We will distribute the number code for people to call in.

Here is information about various Town departments. All phone numbers are area code 603.


Town Clerk-Tax Collector 428-3240

Assessing 428-3221 x 102

Planning, Zoning, Land Use 428-3221 x 101

Finance Department 428-3221 x 104

Police Department 428-3213

Fire Department 428-7552

Henniker Rescue 428-7552

Transfer Station 428-7604

Highway Department 428-7200

PLEASE SEE THE FULL LIST OF UPDATES
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝑴𝑽 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔:

  • NH Division of Motor Vehicles has extended the expiration date of previously issued 20-day plates, as well as NH authorized dealer 20-day plates, issued on or after Feb. 26, 2020 through May 31, 2020. Residents are encouraged to contact the Town Clerk's office at 428-3240 for permanent vehicle options or for additional information about motor vehicle registration.

  • The Division of Motor Vehicles has transitioned to phone/online services and appointment only walk-in services at these five locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.

𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬
  • Non-CDL driving road tests as well as motorcycle testing will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
  • All CDL related transactions can be conducted by appointment only. Call 227-4000 to schedule an appointment.
  • Customers whose licenses have expired or are set to expire between April 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 may apply for a 6-month license extension. Call 227-4020 to apply for the 6-month license extension over the phone.
  • The REAL ID compliance deadline has been extended until October, 2021. REAL ID transactions will not be conducted for the duration of the Stay at Home Order.
  • Drop box services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at the following locations: Concord, Dover, Manchester, Newport, and Twin Mountain.

For all other transactions, please call DMV customer service at 227-4000 to determine the availability of services. Customers should take advantage of the DMV’s online services, including online driver license renewal (if eligible), ID renewals (if eligible), and online ticket pay at  www.nh.gov/dmv .
The Town of Henniker is working on upgrading our website. We would love to have more images of Henniker. Are you a photographer? Do you like to take pictures? If so please share some of your favorites with us to possibly be featured on the new website.
Please email them to [email protected]

The Select Board voted on April 21st to allow the Farmers Market to begin there 2020 season. They are hoping to have opening day on May 21st.

As you may know, the Governor has included farmers markets on the “essential” list. The Farmers Market has assured us they will be taking all the necessary precautions to operate safely. This includes products only changing hands from producer directly to consumer which offer a much safer and more reliable place to shop.

The NH Department of Agriculture has issued a set of guidelines to make farmers market safer. The Market will be enforcing strict COVID-19 policies at our market. These will address vendor spacing, 6 ft distancing, lines and traffic flow, masks and gloves for vendors, etc. Vendors will be limited to food and soap only at this time. They will not have music performances at this time. They also ask you to limit the number of people you bring with you to the market, and please stay home if you are sick.
BRING IN YOUR BIRD FEEDERS!
Bears are out and about...

It’s that time of year again and the bears are on the move and it is important to understand how we can limit our interactions so the bears and humans remain safe and peaceful neighbors.

According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game website, black bears are generally shy and usually avoid humans. They are opportunistic and will search for human food supplies when natural foods are not available. Maintaining a sustainable bear population in New Hampshire depends on minimizing human-bear conflicts.

It is illegal to intentionally feed bears in New Hampshire. Intentional feeding can create problems within residential areas and can result in fines. It also may threaten the life of the bear, if it becomes a nuisance animal as a result of this feeding.

New Hampshire Fish and Game understands the importance of educating the public and provides very good tips for helping to avoid conflicts with bears. You can find some tips on living with bears in New Hampshire  HERE .


NH Secretary of State William Gardner and Attorney General Gordon MacDonald announced any voter may request an absentee ballot for the September 2020 Primary and November 2020 General Elections based on concerns regarding COVID-19. Learn more:  https://www.henniker.org/…/secretary-state-and-attorney-gen…
2020 CENSUS RESPONSE RATE MAPPER

Okay Henniker.... We are behind the state average for responses. It's time we did our part and made sure we get counted. Currently 51.1% of Henniker has responded. Have you??? To be counted, self-respond online, over the phone or by paper questionnaire and make sure our community receives the funds we need to sustain our programs. It’s easy, safe and important! Visit 2020Census.gov

For the first time in history, the U.S. Census Bureau will post live self-response rates that will be updated daily at 3 pm ET. This new digital tool may be used to encourage family, friends, and communities to make sure they are counted. Check out the link below and see where your community stands in comparison to others. It’s not only informative, it’s fun!

DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE
There have been several reports of dogs off leash recently.

Town ordinances require:

  • No dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall run at large or in any other way make a nuisance of itself within the limits of the Town of Henniker.
  • The term "nuisance," as herein used, shall be considered to be as defined in New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 466:31, II.
  • Any dog who is found to be running at large or to be causing a nuisance in violation of this article may, at the discretion of the Police Chief of the Town of Henniker, be impounded or otherwise restrained at the expense of the owner.  that a dog be on a leash no longer than 8 feet at all times when off the private property of the owner. If the dog bolts from the owner’s property to harass or frighten people this is a violation of the Town Ordinance. 
 
We all love our pets but there are some who may be frightened of a dog they are not familiar with and it is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their animal is under control at all times.

Read Henniker's ordinance concerning the regulation of dogs  HERE .
WALK, RUN, BIKE TO DISCOVER HENNIKER’S TRAILS ...

BUT PLEASE Maintain safe social distancing and reduce congestion at trailhead parking areas for everyone's safety.

The Town of Henniker’s open spaces offer places for maintaining mental and physical health for individuals and families, during these stressful times. The trails are open for exploration—due to the COVID-19 threat, visitors must maintain appropriate social distancing, which generally means keeping 6 feet apart. This is especially important on weekends, when visitation is high. If sites are congested, please seek alternate locations. It is mud season, please treat trails gently.
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Our area food pantry is experiencing an increase in demand and would greatly appreciate donations of food or money so they can purchase needed items for families in need. Please consider using your resources to assist one of our local non-profit organizations serving the Henniker community. For more information on the Henniker Food Pantry including drop off locations please check here .
 
Joe

Joseph R. Devine, Jr - Town Administrator
Town of Henniker
a: 18 Depot Hill Rd., Henniker, NH 03242 USA
t: 603.428.3221 ext. 5  | e: [email protected]  | w: www.henniker.org

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